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Exbury Gardens has once again given the Area an opportunity to create a collage from the fallen petals which are collected by the children as they walk around the gardens with their families.   

Here is an article about the day from Carol Fletcher of Fareham Flower Club, who volunteered to help out on Saturday.

“On Saturday 5th June I volunteered to help the Area at Exbury Gardens, to make a collage of fallen petals from rhododendrons and azaleas.  The theme for the collage was the Football World Cup. A map of the world was drawn and placed on a board; the children collected the flower heads in envelopes and brought them back to us to be pinned on the board.

Working with the children enabled us to build up a colourful picture and at the same time created a very friendly and enjoyable atmosphere to work in. The children were then encouraged to produce a small flower arrangement consisting of one flower and two leaves wrapped in cellophane, ably assisted by Jackie Knight, Mary Defty, Alice Wrightson and myself.

I am not sure who enjoyed it more, us, the children or the parents and grandparents who were eagerly watching. It was a pleasure to witness the concentration on their faces when preparing the flower arrangements and also see the happy smiles of anticipation on the mum’s and grand mum’s faces, in knowing that they would ultimately have something to take home with them.

I found the day extremely rewarding and would strongly recommend that any members who have some spare time, should consider getting involved in promoting flower arranging amongst our younger generations and enjoy the personal rewards that an event such as this can bring. “

Carol Fletcher